Mom

By Hans Westrich -38933-018

Born 1975, M, from Federal Correctional Institution, Coleman, Florida, United States

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Mom

My mother died in 1997, close to Valentine's Day, of cancer. In the twenty plus years since her death I have often wondered what my best memory of her is. Believe it or not, my mind continually goes back to a homeless shelter. Let me give you some background.
The church my family attended volunteered at a homeless shelter monthly. This consisted of providing a sermon and then a meal. The shelter was set up so that the homeless had to attend the sermon in order to eat. They were a captive audience and it showed. The vast majority of them had come for a meal and not a sermon. During chapel time there was usually talking, yelling, fighting and grumbling. Some of it was directed at the person acting as pastor that day. I went to the shelter every month.
It was sometime in 1995 when my mom was asked to give the monthly sermon. At this time she was very sick. The cancer had caused her back to collapse into a hunchback. She went from being 6'1" to 5'7". She could only get around using a walker. All her hair had fallen out and she was in constant pain. I thought it was a horrible idea for her to give the sermon. I did not want her to face ridicule or laughter. I did not think I could sit in that chapel and let that happen. I tried my best to talk her out of it. But she was determined to go, and even looked forward to it.
When that day came I was both nervous and agitated. Slowly my mom came into the chapel bent over her walker. After a couple of hymns were sung it was time for her to speak. As she rolled down the chapel aisle and got in front of all the people there was total silence. My mom joked with them. She talked openly and graphically about her suffering. She talked about how her faith was helping her to get through each day. She spoke for maybe 30 minutes. I just kept looking around, stunned. Not only were people paying attention, they were clearly being affected by what she said. Some had tears rolling down their cheeks. When my mom finished the entire audience gave her a standing ovation. Afterwards my mom greeted each person with a handshake or a hug.
During the lunch meal that our church provided, my mom decided to eat with the homeless. She sat down with them, ate, talked and laughed. I watched her from the dish room with tears in my eyes.
I realize now that my mom was a big hit at the shelter because of her suffering. the people realized immediately that she understood them. Likewise, my mom felt connected to them for the same reason. They understood suffering.
Most of us pass by homeless people all the time. It's like passing by a tree or a bench,. We pay little to no attention to these invisible people. But I know that they are the ones who gave my mom a standing ovation.
I think this is my favorite memory of her because it shows so clearly who she was. Selfless, caring, loving, funny and full of faith!

Mom(Hans Westrich -38933-018) Mom

My mother died in 1997, close to Valentine's Day, of cancer. In the twenty plus years since her death I have often wondered what my best memory of her is. Believe it or not, my mind continually goes back to a homeless shelter. Let me give you some background.
The church my family attended volunteered at a homeless shelter monthly. This consisted of providing a sermon and then a meal. The shelter was set up so that the homeless had to attend the sermon in order to eat. They were a captive audience and it showed. The vast majority of them had come for a meal and not a sermon. During chapel time there was usually talking, yelling, fighting and grumbling. Some of it was directed at the person acting as pastor that day. I went to the shelter every month.
It was sometime in 1995 when my mom was asked to give the monthly sermon. At this time she was very sick. The cancer had caused her back to collapse into a hunchback. She went from being 6'1" to 5'7". She could only get around using a walker. All her hair had fallen out and she was in constant pain. I thought it was a horrible idea for her to give the sermon. I did not want her to face ridicule or laughter. I did not think I could sit in that chapel and let that happen. I tried my best to talk her out of it. But she was determined to go, and even looked forward to it.
When that day came I was both nervous and agitated. Slowly my mom came into the chapel bent over her walker. After a couple of hymns were sung it was time for her to speak. As she rolled down the chapel aisle and got in front of all the people there was total silence. My mom joked with them. She talked openly and graphically about her suffering. She talked about how her faith was helping her to get through each day. She spoke for maybe 30 minutes. I just kept looking around, stunned. Not only were people paying attention, they were clearly being affected by what she said. Some had tears rolling down their cheeks. When my mom finished the entire audience gave her a standing ovation. Afterwards my mom greeted each person with a handshake or a hug.
During the lunch meal that our church provided, my mom decided to eat with the homeless. She sat down with them, ate, talked and laughed. I watched her from the dish room with tears in my eyes.
I realize now that my mom was a big hit at the shelter because of her suffering. the people realized immediately that she understood them. Likewise, my mom felt connected to them for the same reason. They understood suffering.
Most of us pass by homeless people all the time. It's like passing by a tree or a bench,. We pay little to no attention to these invisible people. But I know that they are the ones who gave my mom a standing ovation.
I think this is my favorite memory of her because it shows so clearly who she was. Selfless, caring, loving, funny and full of faith!

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COMMENTS (1)

Gail Moore

02/21/2021

A great memory of your mum, Sounds like she was a very caring person with lots of time for others. You were a very lucky son to have such a wonderful person in your life. Treasure your memories. :-)

Congratulations !

Mom

COMMENTS (1)

Gail Moore